Newbie in Texas - renters skipped as well as other matters

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Hi, This is my first visit to this site and I would like to ask a few questions to the pros.
I have an investment house in one of the historic districts of Ft Worth. I was forced to rent it rather than sell so this is the first time I've had to deal with renters. I'm finding that renters have more rights than landlords.

Here's my scenario: Beautiful house, bad houses around me but neighborhood is climbing up the ladder for the better. I allowed a family to move in without a security deposit but they put in a fence in lieu of. (I know someone is going to say "that was your first mistake". Yes I know but what's done is done and I need help with what is now.

I did not receive rent for Oct (this month) with promises to do so.
They moved out, didn't return my keys, disabled smoke detectors and took light bulbs. (bulbs, smoke det etc were all provided), left trash in the house and outside and changed the lock on one of the doors.

I sent notices for late rent, to clean up etc but they apparently know that it costs more to take them to court than to pay their debt so they pretty much are thinking.."get in line".

They already have collectors after them so they don't have any money. (however they had money to go on a cruise lately).

Anything I can do that's not going to cost me an arm and a leg? I don't want to bite off my nose to spite my face....all I want is my money.
I can take them to small claims court but I was told that even if the judgment is in my favor, the defendants most of the time don't pay. The only "justice" is that one more thing goes against their credit...it doesn't help me with my loss.

Thanks for your time ...landlording is not something I'm enjoying but I was in a position where I had no choice.